The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has issued a public warning and a strict ban on consuming shellfish from five coastal areas nationwide, including Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur, after confirming the presence of toxic red tide.
BFAR’s Shellfish Bulletin No. 24, released on November 28, confirmed that samples collected from the affected waters tested positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) at levels exceeding the regulatory safety limit.
The agency specifically warned the public that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. (alamang) harvested from the contaminated locations are unsafe for human consumption and could cause poisoning.
The five bays and coastal waters currently under the red tide advisory are:
1. Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur
2. Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
3. Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay
4. Coastal waters of Zumarraga Island in Samar
5. Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar
The BFAR clarified that other forms of marine life—namely fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs—remain safe for consumption, provided they are fresh, properly washed, and thoroughly cleaned by removing the gills and internal organs before cooking to mitigate any risk of poisoning.
